About Hands of Respect

After a lifetime of envisioning superheroes that could make the world a better place, Stan Lee created Hands of Respect to invite us to do the same

One night while Stan Lee and his daughter J.C. were watching television, J.C. commented about the U.S. flag pin that so many politicians wear. She asked why there couldn’t be a solidarity pin that anyone–regardless of race or political affiliation–could wear.

The idea sent Stan Lee to the drawing board. Days later, Stan designed the Respect Pin and started Hands of Respect to promote a culture of respect among all communities across the nation.

Formal Letters of Support

Stan Lee has received commitment from several real-life superheroes to help spread his message of respect for all. Click to learn about the ambassadors to the Hands of Respect.

Rep Mark Desaulnier

Mark Desaulnier is a United States Congressman representing California's 11th Congressional District

Mr. Speaker, Marvel Comics legend, Stan Lee, co-creator of such iconic characters as Spider-Man, the Avengers, and X-Men, with the contribution of his daughter, J.C., seeing the challenges faced in the country launched the RESPECT Initiative symbolized by the “Hands of Respect” pin to build bridges in communications, encourage dialogue, and bring together and inspire all community members to respect on another.

With the goal to get “Hands of Respect” pins throughout the country, community members of all ages will get involved in this important movement. Through the efforts of Concord, California, resident and RESPECT Initiative Executive Director, Jerry Olizarez, it is acknowledged that the City of Concord, led by Mayor Laura Hoffmeister and Chief Guy Swanger, is the first city in the county where the Mayor and Chief of Police officially support the concept of the RESPECT campaign.

I encourage all my colleagues in the House of Representatives to wear the “Hands of Respect” pin to show support for this initiative and encourage their constituents to join the conversation and participate in the campaign by visiting www.handsofrespect.com. Initiatives like “Hands of Respect” are important to bringing communities together and I commend the efforts of all who are involved in my Congressional District, the State of California, and the nation.

Chief Paul M Cell

Paul M Cell is the Vice President of the International Association of Chiefs of Police and officer at Montclair State University

Dear Mr. Lee,

Thank you so much for having Jerry Olivarez meet with the International Association of Chiefs of Police Board of Officers in San Diego recently for the support you have to our officers and to the leaders in law enforcement. I was so pleased to learn about your Hands of Respect initiative and offer any support in this mission.

I consider it a great honor to accept the role as Ambassador to Law Enforcement representing the Stan Lee Hands of Respect Initiative. Building this bridge of respect is personal to me and will serve to influence generations in the United State and beyond to recognize our obligations to each other.

You are the quintessential definition of a real life hero and your work has provided hope and inspiration to millions. I stand ready to assist you with this initiative and many more in the future.

Cameron Colvin

Cameron Colvin is a professional athlete and former player for the 49ers

Upon acceptance to be Hands of Respect’s ambassador to the NFL, Stan Lee wrote Mr. Colvin the following letter:

Dear Cameron:

It is my sincere pleasure to have you as our ambassador of Stan Lee’s Hands of Respect Initiative and liaison to the National Football League (NFL) and associated organizations.

As a former professional football player and National Football League Players Association lifetime alumni, you understand the importance of working with the community and especially youth in presenting a positive message and being a role model. I look forward to working with you and bringing the sports community, law enforcement and communities together in Respect and Unity.

The RESPECT Initiative (www.handsofrespect.com) is a very personal initiative of mine to help bring the gap between law enforcement and the community and to help bring back the very basic human fundamental of Respect for one another.

I want to thank you for your passion and for being a real life superhero!

Hands of Respect Team

Stan Lee

Former President and Chairman of Marvel Comics, King of Cameos, and Creator of Hands of Respect

Stan Lee was born Stanley Martin Lieber on December 28, 1922. He is an American Hollywood executive, producer, comic book writer, editor, actor, publisher, television personality, and the former president and chairman of Marvel Comics. Comicbook legend Stan Lee is considered the godfather of the modern day superhero. He has exerted more influence over the comicbook and entertainment industry than any other figure. He is revered by fans of all ages world-wide and amongst all cultures.

Stan Lee co-created some of Marvel’s most recognizable characters including Spider-Man™, Iron Man™, The Incredible Hulk™, The Fantastic Four™, X-Men™, The Avengers™, Thor™, Doctor Strange™, Daredevil™ and hundreds more fictional characters, introducing complex, naturalistic characters and a thoroughly shared universe into superhero comicbooks. Lee subsequently led the expansion of Marvel Comics from a small division of a publishing house to a large multi-media company which was acquired by the Walt Disney Company in 2010.

Stan Lee received the Vanguard Award from the Producer’s Guild of America in 2012 and was inducted into the comicbook industry’s Will Eisner Comic Book Hall of Fame in 1994 and The Jack Kirby Hall of Fame in 1995. He received a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2011. Lee is currently Chairman and Chief Creative Officer of POW! Entertainment, a multi-media entertainment company with projects in development and production around the world.

Jerry Olivarez

Celebrity publicist and executive director national campaign for Hands of Respect

As a child, Jerry Olivarez stood on Rodeo Drive, wondering who drove the fancy cars passing by. Years later, he was sitting next to one of those people in the Lamborghini when he realized he had become one of the people he used to wonder about.

Armed with a firmly held belief that he could accomplish anything he set his mind to. Jerry Olivarez rose from being a small town florist to being one of the most successful and admired celebrity publicists. The life and business lessons Jerry learned as a young man, and the people he met along the way, put him in the presence of celebrities.

As you read the stories of working with such personalities as Oprah Winfrey, Kid Rock, Cuba Gooding Jr., even the famed Stan Lee, note the insights Jerry offers with each telling.

J.C. Lee

J.C. is Stan Lee's daughter, published author and co-creator of Hands of Respect

J.C. Lee is Stan Lee’s only child, and according to Stan, his greatest creation. She is the author of the book Stan Lee’s Love Story, and has repeatedly taken on other creative ventures, including mobile apps and comics.

It was inspiration from J.C. that lead Stan Lee to create Hands of Respect to bring respect to all people.